Corinthians meet Rosario Central again after 26 years, past v Argentines | OneFootball

Corinthians will face Rosario Central again this Thursday (13) at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in Rosario, in the first leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores round of 16. The match will end a 26-year gap without games between the teams and add a new chapter to a head-to-head record that, so far, includes only three matches.

In the numbers of the matchup, the advantage belongs to the Argentine club. Corinthians have won once and lost on two other occasions. There have been 13 goals in the three matches, with six scored by Alvinegro and seven by Rosario Central. The limited head-to-head contrasts with Corinthians’ extensive history against Argentine clubs. According to the historical survey presented, Timão has played 66 matches against teams from the country, with 26 wins, 15 draws, and 25 losses. The balance also shows in the goals: 103 scored by Alvinegro and 100 by their opponents.

Photo: Rodrigo Gazzanel/Agência Corinthians

First meeting took place in 1957

Corinthians and Rosario Central faced each other for the first time on January 12, 1957. The friendly was played at Pacaembu and ended in a 2-1 win for the Argentines. Baltazar scored Corinthians’ goal.

The teams would only share the field again more than four decades later. The reunion came հենց in the Libertadores, the competition that once again brings the clubs face to face in 2026.

In the 2000 round of 16, Corinthians began the knockout tie away from home. At Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario Central won 3-2, while Luizão scored both of Timão’s goals and kept the contest open for the decisive match in São Paulo.

Six days later, on May 9, the scenario was reversed at Pacaembu. Corinthians also won 3-2 in front of 37,145 fans. Luizão scored twice again, and Edílson completed the scoring for Alvinegro. Gordillo and Pizzi found the net for the Argentines.

As each team had won one match by the same scoreline, qualification had to be decided on penalties. Corinthians won 4-3 and advanced to the Libertadores quarterfinals. Since then, the two clubs have not faced each other again.

Corinthians have a recurring history against Argentines in the Libertadores

If meetings with Rosario Central have been rare, facing Argentine teams has been a frequent part of Corinthians’ journey in South America’s top competition. Before this new knockout stage, Timão had played 24 Libertadores matches against clubs from the country, totaling six wins, eight draws, and ten losses.

The story began in the 1991 round of 16 against Boca Juniors. After a 3-1 defeat at La Bombonera, Corinthians and Boca drew 1-1 at Morumbi, a result that eliminated the São Paulo club.

Rosario Central appeared in Corinthians’ path in 2000, with Corinthians advancing on penalties. After that, River Plate eliminated Corinthians in the round of 16 in both 2003 and 2006.

The most important chapter in this history was written in 2012. Corinthians and Boca Juniors played for the Libertadores title. The first match ended 1-1 in Argentina. In the return leg, Timão won 2-0 and lifted the continental trophy for the first time, ending that campaign unbeaten.

Boca again eliminated Corinthians in the round of 16 in 2013. Two years later, San Lorenzo were in Timão’s group, with Corinthians winning 1-0 in Argentina and drawing 0-0 in São Paulo. In 2018, there were two matches against Independiente, with a Corinthians away win and a home defeat.

In 2022, Corinthians and Boca played four matches. In the group stage, Timão won 2-0 at Neo Química Arena and drew 1-1 at La Bombonera. They met again in the round of 16. Two 0-0 draws sent the decision to penalties, with Corinthians advancing in Argentina.

In the following edition, the opponent was Argentinos Juniors in the group stage. Corinthians lost 1-0 at home and drew 0-0 away. In 2026, before reaching the round of 16, they faced Platense twice: a 2-0 Alvinegro win in Argentina and a defeat by the same score at Neo Química Arena.

Overall record against Argentine teams

Corinthians’ relationship with Argentine clubs began long before the creation of the Libertadores. According to the historical survey presented, there have been 66 matches, with a slight Alvinegro edge: 26 wins, 15 draws, and 25 losses, as well as 103 goals scored and 100 conceded.

The first record came on May 1, 1929, when Corinthians beat Barracas 3-1 at Parque São Jorge. In the following years, teams such as Tucumán, Huracán, Gimnasia y Esgrima, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Estudiantes, Racing, Newell’s Old Boys, San Lorenzo, Independiente, Vélez Sarsfield, and Lanús also crossed Alvinegro’s path.

Among the opponents, Boca Juniors stood out for the number and importance of the meetings. In the survey presented, there were 13 matches, with four Corinthians wins, four draws, and five victories for the Buenos Aires club. One of them came in 1961, when Timão beat Boca 4-3 at La Bombonera.

In addition to official matches, the overall history includes friendlies and tournaments played in and outside Brazil, showing a relationship between Corinthians and Argentine football that spans nearly a century.

All matches between Corinthians and Rosario Central:

Check out Corinthians’ matches against Argentine teams in the Libertadores

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.